Off to the races

“Sprint” is the word seemingly tossed around most since the NHL and the players agreed to a new collective bargaining agreement that ended a lockout that covered nearly four months. “Everybody uses that word,” San Jose Sharks coach Todd McLellan told FOXSports.com. “Wins and losses are magnified. A three-game losing streak is magnified, as is a five-game winning streak.” That’s because the NHL season -- which opens on Saturday for most teams -- is 48 games instead of the usual 82. FOXSports.com examines the seven teams that are the most and least prepared for this “sprint.”

-- A.J. Perez